Trolley

ABSTRACT

Trolley ( 10 ) for carrying underwear or similar and at least one item of clothing (G, P), including a jacket (G), and provided with at least one handle ( 11 ) for pulling/lifting and with wheels ( 12 ) for rolling on the ground, characterized—in that it comprises at least two suitcase containers ( 13, 14 ), hereafter referred to as the first—( 13 ) and second ( 14 ) suitcase containers, connected and juxtaposed with one another at their first side face, not inter-communicating and each provided with a respective lid ( 13.2, 14.2 ) that can be opened and closed from the side of a second side face opposite said first side face; and—in that at least said first suitcase container ( 13 ) has an internal compartment (V) adapted to hold at least one jacket (G) hung in a correct hanging position and comprising on the inside hanging means ( 17, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3 ) including at least one hanger ( 17.1 ) hanging in the vicinity of said upper wall and supporting said at least one jacket (G) correctly as in a wardrobe.

The present invention relates to a trolley.

For the transport of luggage, in particular when travelling by plane, dimensional limitations for suitcases or trolleys to be taken on board are provided. Said dimensional limitations refers, in particular, to the so-called “hand luggage”.

So, the traveller has to organize the objects to be transported, for example inside of a trolley, taking into account said dimensional limitations. This is often in contrast with the need to put the personal effects, like underwear or clothes, in a tidy way and being able to pick up, at the end of the travel, the same clothes from the trolley ready to be worn.

For example, a jacket laid in a trolley during a long travel will result, at the end of the travel, to be very creased.

Thus, taken into account the aforesaid dimensional limitations for the hand luggage with reference to travels by plane, it is an object of the invention to provide a trolley that is suitable for containing both the underwear or the like and at least one piece of garment, like a jacket or the like, with or without trousers, so that the same piece of garment will not be creased in a relevant way while laid and transported inside the trolley.

Another object of the invention is to provide a trolley that, taken into account the aforesaid dimensional limitations for the hand luggage with reference to travels by plane, may also be combined by means of a plurality of suitcase containers, and detached in a plurality of suitcase containers, thus facilitating not only the transport of the trolley and its components, but also the composition and detachment of the same trolley.

A further object of the invention is to provide a trolley that, being composed by means of a plurality of suitcase containers, allows to avoid the detachment in a fraudulent way of at least one of said suitcase containers with respect to at least another of said suitcase containers.

Another further object of the invention is to provide a trolley that has a strong and simplified structure, easy to be used and the realization of which results simple and economical.

In view of these objects, the present invention provides a trolley, the essential characteristic of which forms the subject of claim 1.

Further embodiments of the trolley according to the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The aforesaid claims are intended as fully incorporated herein.

The present invention will be more apparent from the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawing, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, showing some embodiments of the trolley according to the invention, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective three quarter view of a first embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, realized in a single body and represented with closed lids in a working disposition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective three quarter view and with exploded parts in of the trolley framework according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective schematic three quarter view and with exploded parts of the trolley according to FIG. 1, but with the lids being partially open;

FIG. 4 is a view in elevation and in different scale of the trolley according to the invention, in the direction of the arrow IV of FIG. 3, in which the lid is on the other hand illustrated totally opened;

FIG. 5 is a partial view, in major scale and in section, according to line V-V of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front three quarter view according to a second embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, made with two suitcase containers, mutually connected in a detachable way and with closed lids, in a working disposition;

FIG. 7 is a three quarter perspective view and with exploded parts of the framework of the trolley according to FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective three quarter view of the trolley according to FIG. 6, in which safety means against the fraudulent separation of one of the suitcase containers with respect to the other are further provided;

FIG. 9 is a view in side elevation of the trolley according to FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a front three quarter perspective view of a third embodiment of the trolley according to the invention, realized by means of two suitcase containers mutually connected in a detachable way and with closed lids in a working disposition;

FIG. 11 is a three quarter perspective view and with exploded parts of the framework of the trolley according to FIG. 10;

FIGS. 12 and 13 are three quarter perspective views of further suitcase containers connectable and detachable with respect to the trolley according to the invention.

FIRST EMBODIMENT (FIGS. 1 TO 5)

In the drawing, with 10 reference is made to the trolley according to a first embodiment as a whole, in which the same trolley is made as a single body.

Said trolley 10 is provided for containing, for example, underwear and at least a piece of clothes with jacket (FIG. 5).

In a conventional way, the trolley 10 is provided with at least one handle 11 for pulling/lifting and with wheels 12 for rolling on the ground.

According to the invention, said trolley 10 comprises two suitcase containers 13, 14 respectively, hereafter referred to as the first 13 suitcase container and second 14 suitcase container.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, said first and second suitcase containers 13, 14 are stably connected and juxtaposed with one another at their first side face (which is indicated with 13.1 in FIG. 1 with reference to the first container 13) and each has a respective lid 13.2, 14.2 respectively, that can be opened and closed from the side of a second side face opposite said first side face.

Said first suitcase container 13 is provided with the handle 11 in correspondence of its upper wall and, as can be better seen from FIG. 2, with wheels 12 for rolling on the ground in correspondence of the lower wall that is opposite to said upper wall.

Said first and second suitcase containers 13, 14 respectively, comprise respective load-bearing frameworks, indicated with 13.3, 13.4 respectively, in FIG. 2.

Each load-bearing framework 13.3, 14.3 comprises a respective frame 13.4, 14.4 which is made by means of two sandwich strips in plastic laminate with honeycomb core, folded as an equilateral “U” and stably connected one another in correspondence of the ends of the wings of said “U”.

Said frames 13.4, 14.4 make the structural part of the sides, the upper wall and the lower one of each suitcase container 13, 14. The frame 13.4 has the same width and depth with respect to the frame 14.4, but has greatest height, so that said first suitcase container 13, that comprises said frame 13.4 has a greatest height than the suitcase container 14, that comprises said frame 14.4.

Metallic “U”-shaped strips, indicated with 13.5, 14.5 respectively, are fixed in the inner part of the sides of said frames 13.4, 14.4 and make the structure of the same frameworks more rigid. The intermediate part of said strips 13.5, 14.5 lays in respective parallel planes, that individuate corresponding side faces of the two suitcase containers 13, 14 in correspondence of which the same containers are each other stably connected and juxtaposed as above specified. On said strips 13.6, 14.6, respective removable rigid plates 13.6, 14.6 are disposed, constituting the respective bottom parts of the suitcase containers 13, 14. Said bottom parts 13.6, 14.6 make said suitcase containers 13, 14 not communicating one with the other.

Said frames 13.4, 14.4 are stably fixed one another by means of metallic platelets 15, fixed by means of rivets with respect to the sides of said frames, so to realize a monolithic structure. It will be noted that the lower wall of the two suitcase containers 13, 14 lays in a common plane, while the two upper walls are one another staggered in height.

A robust covering in flexible sheet 16 wraps said frames 13.4, 14.4, to which said sheet 16 is fixed.

Further, said covering sheet 16 is connected, by means of a flexible rectilinear hinge 13.8, 14.8, with respect to the lids 13.2, 14.2, that are conformed in the shape of a shutter of a door.

On the other hand, a respective zip 13.9, 14.9 conformed substantially in the shape of a “C” is useful to close said lids 13.2, 14.2 of the suitcase containers 13, 14, with respect to the covering sheet 16.

The internal compartment of the suitcase container 14 is adapted to contain underwear or the like, for example disposed in two columns side by side (not illustrated). To this end, two rigid plates T are provided, that are respectively overlapping said columns. Elastic means (known, and not illustrated) are, at one side, fixed with respect to the frames 13.4, 14.4 and, on the other side, are partially overlapping with respect to said plates T, in order to maintain stably in their place the columns of underwear or the like in the compartment of the suitcase container 14.

The internal compartment V of the suitcase container 13 is adapted to contain at least one jacket G with trousers P hung in a correct hanging position and comprises on the inside hanging means 17, including at least one hanger 17.1 hanging in the vicinity of said upper wall of the same suitcase container, to hang said at least one jacket G with trousers P in a correct disposition as in a wardrobe.

In particular, said hanging means 17 comprise retaining means against oscillation, including a support bracket 17.2 fixed with respect to the frame 13.4 and a prismatic rod 17.3, supported and protruding parallel to said upper wall of the suitcase container 13. On said prismatic rod 17.3 a hanger 17.1 is coupled by means of a through hole 17.4 with prismatic outline, in order to immobilize the hanger 17.1 against oscillation, but allowing to insert or slip said same hanger 17.1 along said prismatic rod 17.3.

On the other hand, straps 18 are fixed, with one end, with respect to the bottom wall of said suitcase container 13. Said straps 18 are adjustable in length and each of them bears, at its free end, a corresponding tweeze 18.1, that may be manually opened and closed by means of a control lever 18.2, in antagonism with respect to the elastic force of a return spring. The jaws of the tweezers 18.1 are internally covered with a deformable elastic material, like rubber.

Said adjustable straps 18 are, for example, made in a non-elastically extensible material. Inferior end parts of the jacket G and trousers P (FIG. 5) are closed by means of the tweezers 18.1, so that the corresponding straps 18 stably hold the same jacket G and trousers P correctly hang on the hanger 17.1, like they're placed in a wardrobe.

The retaining action realized in a combined way on the jacket G and on the trousers P, on one side, by the hanger 17.1 that is prevented from oscillating by retaining means 17.2, 17.3, 17.4, and on the other by means of the straps 18 with tweezers 18.1, grants the stable outstretched position of said clothes, independently from the position of the trolley 10.

Second Embodiment (FIGS. 6 to 9)

The trolley according to this embodiment is indicated as a whole with 20.

The parts of the trolley 20 that are similar, both for the structure than for the function, to parts of the trolley 10 are in what follows indicated with the same reference numbers.

The trolley 20 comprises two suitcase containers 13, 14 similar to the ones of the trolley 10, but each other connected in a non-inseparable way (in fact, the connecting metallic platelets 15 that connect the two frames 13.4, 14.4 of the trolley 10 are not present).

The suitcase containers 13, 14 comprise respective coverings in flexible sheet 16.1, 16.2, that completely and stably wrap the respective frames 13.4, 14.4, so that the two suitcase containers form respective single units. To this end, also the suitcase container 14 is provided with a handle 11.1 for pulling/lifting and with wheels 12.1 for rolling on the ground. Said trolley 20 further comprises means 21 for the detachable connection of the two suitcase containers 13, 14 that, in the present example, comprise fixed strips 21.1 of flexible sheet, sewed with respect to the covering of the sides of one of said containers, for example the covering 16.1 of the container 13, and that stretch themselves with a free fin 21.2 on the sides of the other container, for example the container 14.

The inner side of each free fin 21.2 of the fixed strips 21.1 is provided with a first part of detachable connection means of the Velcro® type, while the corresponding zone of the covering 16.2 of the suitcase container 14 is provided with a second part of detachable connection means of the Velcro® type, complementary with respect to said first part.

By means of said disposition, the first and the second suitcase container 13, 14 are each other stably connected in a detachable way and correctly juxtaposed in correspondence of a respective first side face (that is indicated with 13.1 in FIG. 6 with reference to the first container 13) and each other has a respective lid 13.2, 14.2 respectively, that can be opened or closed from the side of a second side face opposite to said first side face.

Further, said suitcase containers 13, 14 comprise wide fixed transversal strips in flexible sheet 22 sewed on the covering of said first and/or second side faces, by means of sews parallel to the sides of the same containers.

In this way, said strips 22 form, in the two containers, respective loops, through which a robust belt 23 is disposed (FIG. 8, 9), substantially in the shape of a “U”, which free ends are substantially placed side by side on the upper face of said first suitcase container 13 and are provided with eyelets 23.1 for a locker. A locker 24 stably connects said eyelets 23.1 and closes in the manner of a ring the belt 23. Said disposition constitutes a safety against the fraudulent separation of one of said suitcase containers 13, 14 with respect to the other.

Third Embodiment (FIGS. 10 to 13)

The trolley according to this embodiment is indicated as a whole with 30.

The parts of the trolley 30 that are similar, both for the structure than for the function, to parts of the trolley 10 are in what follows indicated with the same reference numbers.

The trolley 30 comprises two suitcase containers 13 and 31. The first suitcase containers 13 is similar to said first container of the trolley 10, while the suitcase container 31, hereinafter referred to as third suitcase container, is similar to and is arranged in a similar way with respect to the second suitcase container 14, but has a significantly lower height with respect to the same.

Said third suitcase container 31 is provided with a handle 11.2 for pulling/lifting and with wheels 12.2 for rolling on the ground.

The first and the third suitcase containers 13, 31 are stably connected in a detachable way and juxtaposed with one another in correspondence of one of their first side face (that is indicated with 13.1 in FIG. 6 with reference to the first container 13) and has a respective lid 13.2, 14.2 that can be opened and closed from the side of a second side face opposite said first side face.

To this end, said third suitcase container 31 has a second part of detachable connection means of the Velcro® type, complementary with respect to said first part of detachable connection means 21.1, 21.2 said second side face of said suitcase container 13 is provided with.

The peculiar geometry of said trolley 30 allows to overlap to said third suitcase container 31 at least a further suitcase container, like the suitcase container 40 in FIG. 12 or the suitcase container 50 in FIG. 13.

In said disposition, the further overlapped suitcase container 40, 50 and the first suitcase container 13 are stably connected in a detachable way and correctly juxtaposed with one another in correspondence of one of their first side face (that is indicated with 13.1 in FIG. 6 with reference to the first container 13) and has a respective lid, 40.2, 50.2, 13.2 respectively, that can be opened and closed from the side of a second side face opposite said first side face.

Said further suitcase container 40, 50 has a second part of detachable connection means of the Velcro® type, complementary with respect to said first part of detachable connection means 21.1, 21.2 said second side face of said suitcase container 13 is provided with.

In a similar way, said suitcase container 40, 50 can be connected in a detachable way not only with respect to said first suitcase container but also with respect to said second suitcase container 14, or said third suitcase container 31. 

1. Trolley (10, 20, 30) for carrying underwear or similar and at least one item of clothing (G, P), including a jacket (G), and provided with at least one handle (11, 11.1, 11.2) for pulling/lifting and with wheels (12, 12.1, 12.2) for rolling on the ground, said trolley comprising at least two suitcase containers (13, 14), hereafter referred to as the first (13) and second (14) suitcase containers, connected and juxtaposed with one another at their first side face, not inter-communicating and each provided with a respective lid (13.2, 14.2) that can be opened and closed from the side of a second side face opposite said first side face; wherein at least said first suitcase container (13) is provided with a handle for pulling/lifting (11) on an upper wall and with wheels (12) for rolling on the ground on a lower wall opposite said upper wall, wherein at least said first suitcase container (13) has an internal compartment (V) adapted to hold at least one jacket (G) hung in a correct hanging position and comprising on the inside hanging means (17, 17.1, 17.2, 17.3) including at least one hanger (17.1) hanging in the vicinity of said upper wall and supporting said at least one jacket (G) correctly as in a wardrobe, wherein said first suitcase container (13) comprises restraining means (18, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3) for said at least one jacket (G) hanging on said at least one hanger (17.1) and said restraining means (18, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3) hold said at least one jacket (G) in said correct hanging position, with respect to at least one part of said first suitcase container (13) other than said upper wall, and wherein said first suitcase container (13) comprises retaining means (17.1, 17.2, 17.3, 17.4) for preventing the oscillation of said at least one hanger (17.1).
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. Trolley (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that 5 said first and second suitcase containers (13, 14) form a single body.
 5. Trolley (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first and second suitcase containers (13, 14) are made of 10 separate bodies and said trolley (20) comprises means (21, 21.1, 21.2) for the mutual modular connection of said first and said second suitcase containers (13, 14).
 6. Trolley (30) according to claim 4 further comprising at least one third suitcase container (31) made from a separate body with respect to said first and second suitcase containers (13, 14), and wherein said trolley (30) comprises means (21, 21.1, 21.2) for mutual modular connection of said first (13) and said at least one third (31) suitcase container.
 7. Trolley according to claim 5 further comprising safety means (23, 23.1, 24) against the fraudulent separation of at least one of said suitcase containers (13, 14, 31) with respect to at least one other said suitcase container.
 8. Trolley according to claim 1 wherein said first suitcase container (13) has a height greater than that of said second (14) and third (31) suitcase container, respectively.
 9. Trolley according to claim 4 further comprising at least one further suitcase container (40, 50) modularly connected to said first suitcase container (13), said second suitcase container (14) respectively, said third suitcase container (31) respectively. 